War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1835 Untitled
When they arrived at the hospital by car, Wei Ran saw the car belonging to the photo agency from a distance.

There was no way out. During this period, the Japanese expatriates began to ration fuel, and some even had to buy it on the black market. There were not many cars that could be used, not to mention that there was a Japanese policeman standing guard next to the car.

"Captain Jin, please park your car next to the photo agency's car."

Wei Ran said in Japanese, "There is a camera from the photo agency in the car. I think we can take a family photo for Mr. Hirano later."

"This is a good suggestion!" Hirano Daito immediately agreed.

Zhao Jingrong naturally had no objection and gently turned the steering wheel and drove over. At the same time, Wei Ran also looked behind him and continued to say to Hirano Daxiang, "Mr. Hirano, you may have to come forward to get the camera later."

"Don't worry," Hirano Daisho agreed readily.

In a few words, the car stopped and Hirano Daito immediately opened the door, stated his identity, and put forward his request.

The Japanese police guarding here naturally had no right to refuse, so they obediently stepped aside and allowed Wei Ran to open the trunk and take out the suitcase containing the Rollei camera.

Even after closing the trunk lid, Wei Ran opened the box and showed it to the young policeman.

There was naturally nothing to see, but Wei Ran took this opportunity to take a look at the back seat of the car.

Fortunately, there was blood on the seat in the back compartment, a large pool of blood that was almost dried.

This is good news, both for Wei Ran and others and for the woman in labor.

For Wei Ran and the others, this pool of blood covered up the blood that Zhang Zhengqi spilled last night. For Esther, she undoubtedly had postpartum hemorrhage.

Regardless of whether the bleeding was caused by the bumps when she was moved or by her own reasons, at least she was sent to the hospital alive, which for her was equivalent to survival.

He just glanced casually and then looked away. After Wei Ran showed the contents of the suitcase, the others had already gotten off the car. Even Hirano Daisho ran to the door and looked inside, and as expected, he noticed the pool of blood. A look of deep worry appeared on his face.

"Let's go," said Hirano Daisho as he quickened his pace.

“I just didn’t ask.”

Zhao Jingrong picked up two lunch boxes and walked to the hospital with Wei Ran and Hirano Aoi who was holding the child, and asked, "Why did Mr. Hirano come back so early today?"

“I was supposed to be back this morning.”

Hirano Daisho explained as he walked hurriedly, "But I was supposed to go home tonight. It was Kawaguchi who called the military station again and again before dawn to inquire about it. I got the news and rushed here immediately."

“So that’s how it is”

Zhao Jingrong suddenly realized something and said, "That's all thanks to Kawaguchi. He was very thoughtful."

"Kawaguchi is a trustworthy and reliable person," said Hirano Daisho gratefully.

Be it Wei Ran, Zhao Jingrong, or even Hirano Aoi, they could all hear that this was what he really meant.

If there had been no war, my brother probably wouldn't have become like that. He would definitely have become true friends with them, right?
Hirano Aoi couldn't help but think that she suddenly felt that the respectful smiles on Wei Ran and Zhao Jingrong's faces were so dazzling and tiring.

While he was daydreaming, Hirano Daisho took them into the hospital and to the ward, where he found Esther lying on the bed, and Zhang Taichuan sitting on a stool, dozing against the wall, with a cigarette in his hand that was about to burn his fingers.

"Kawaguchi, Kawaguchi-kun."

Hirano Daisho kindly woke Zhang Taichuan up and took away the cigarette between his fingers.

Zhang Taichuan shivered uncontrollably after waking up. After opening his eyes, he quickly got up and said enthusiastically, "Mr. Hirano, you're finally back!"

"Thank you for your hard work, Kawaguchi!"

Hirano Daisho patted Zhang Taichuan on the shoulder, asked him to sit down again and asked, "How is Mieko?"

"He was bleeding heavily and lost a lot of blood last night." Zhang Taichuan said, "He hasn't woken up yet."

While Zhang Taichuan was explaining, Hirano Daisho had already sat down beside the bed, looking at Esther who was sleeping with a concerned look on his face.

Wei Ran, who raised the camera, noticed the flash of disgust on Hirano Aoi's face. Even so, he carefully found a good angle and pressed the shutter towards Hirano Daisho and Esther who was sleeping, trying his best to make them look like a couple, a loving couple.

I don’t know if it was intentional on Hirano Aoi’s part, but almost the second after he pressed the shutter, the baby in Hirano Aoi’s arms suddenly started crying.

The crying sound broke the only remaining false beauty between the wild mandarin ducks, and also made Hirano Daisho look over subconsciously.

Or perhaps it was the greatness of motherhood. Esther, who was originally in a coma, slowly woke up because of the crying of her child. Then she saw Wei Ran, Hirano Aoi and the child in Hirano Aoi's arms, and then she saw Hirano Daxiang, who was closest to her.

"Mieko, you're awake." Hirano Daisho said with concern.

Esther reacted for a moment, then nodded slightly, and responded weakly to Hirano Daisho in not very fluent Japanese. She then thanked Hirano Aoi and Zhang Taichuan, and finally switched to Russian and said thank you to Wei Ran.

"Mrs. Hirano is saying thank you," Wei Ran translated proactively.

"Our family really should thank you for your help," said Hirano Daisho gratefully.

"child."

Esther stared at the baby in Hirano Aoi's arms and asked in a hoarse voice in unfamiliar Japanese, "Child, is it mine?"

"It's yours"

Hirano Aoi gently placed the crying baby in Esther's arms. "It's a healthy boy. His name is Morpheus. It's the name you gave him."

"Morpheus, Morpheus"

Esther whispered the name she had given the baby and focused all her attention on the baby.

Seeing this, Wei Ran did not raise the camera again. He just looked at Zhang Taichuan and Zhao Jingrong, left the food box and left the ward.

"Is he still alive?" Zhang Taichuan waited until he walked outside the building before lighting another cigarette and asking in a low voice.

"Still alive," Wei Ran replied in a low voice, "Are you in trouble here?"

"The police came as soon as we sent the person to the hospital last night."

Zhang Taichuan said in a low voice with lingering fear, "Thank goodness the foreign horse lost a lot of blood along the way. I estimated the time and called the military station a few times, but I didn't give it to you at that time."

"You're just in time," Wei Ran replied in a low voice without waiting for the other party to finish speaking.

"What's the next step?" Zhao Jingrong asked in a low voice.

"Everyone stop"

Zhang Taichuan said, "Wait, wait until Zhengqi is better and send him out. Did Miss Hirano tell you? The people around Aoi are the beasts. This matter is weird. We need to stop and wait and see."

"Okay, I'll go and notify you later."

Zhao Jingrong nodded, pointed to the ward cryptically, and lowered his voice a little, "Can you shut up?"

"At this point, we are all in the same boat." Zhang Taichuan said in an extremely casual manner, "Just stay calm."

Hearing this, Zhao Jingrong stopped asking questions. The three of them each smoked a cigarette at the hospital entrance before returning to the ward.

At this time, Esther, or Mieko, had half sat up, and she was holding the healthy baby in her arms.

"You're back just in time"

When Hirano Daxiang saw the three of them coming in, he immediately said, "Quick, take a photo of our family."

"Let me do it," Zhang Taichuan said proactively.

Hearing this, Wei Ran, who had already raised his camera, was stunned for a moment, then quickly took off the camera hanging around his neck and handed it to Zhang Taichuan.

At the same time, Hirano Aoi, who was originally sitting beside the bed, stood up and took a few steps back to make room for the camera. Obviously, she did not want to be in the camera.

After taking two photos, Hirano Daisho said, "Xiao Kui, Kawaguchi, you guys should go back and have a rest. I'll stay here with you."

"What about those policemen?" asked Hirano Aoi.

"Don't worry about them," Hirano Daisho snorted, "Just let them ask me any questions they have."

"Mr. Hirano"

Zhang Taichuan said, "I suggest that we let Miss Xiaokui stay at your and Mrs. Hirano's house for a while. There was a shooting at Lihua Theater, and it seems that Mr. Aoi was shot yesterday. I'm worried that they are targeting our business."

“It’s a real concern.”

Hirano Daisho nodded, then stood up and said, "You three, come with me."

Hearing this, Wei Ran and the other two who had just entered turned around and followed Hirano Daxiang out of the ward and came outside again.

"Mr. Aoi is dead"

Hirano Daxiang said, "Captain Yan is missing. Who do you think did it? Could it be the guerrillas outside the city?"

"This"

Zhang Taichuan and Zhao Jingrong looked at each other, and then looked at Wei Ran at the same time.

"You two, please don't look at me."

Wei Ran said hurriedly, "I was... last night..."

"Ryunosuke, could you please go to the car and get my coat for me?" Zhao Jingrong said.

"Okay, I'll go right away."

After Wei Ran finished speaking, he turned and walked towards the car belonging to the military station in the distance. Behind him, Hirano Daxiang's eyes were already full of murderous intent.

"Mr. Hirano"

Zhao Jingrong spoke first, "I don't think it was the guerrillas outside who attacked Mr. Aoi." "Tell me what you think"

When Hirano Daisho said this, his eyes never left Wei Ran who was walking further and further away.

"Mr. Aoi replaced Mr. Mu's business."

Zhao Jingrong said, "Boss Mu's business is essentially Mr. Musashi's business. I think this is also the reason why Boss Mu left Shencheng under the pretext of getting married.

Without Mr. Musashi's support, Mr. Mu is not irreplaceable in our business."

"So it was Mr. Mu who did it?" Hirano Daisho finally turned his attention to Zhao Jingrong.

“He doesn’t have to.”

Zhang Taichuan sighed, "Even if there is no Mr. Aoi, there will still be Mr. Watanabe, Mr. Suzuki, or Mr. Yamaguchi.

Without Mr. Musashi, Boss Mu alone could not keep their share. This was destined to be lost for Boss Mu.

From what I know about him, he has no need to kill Aoi for a business that is doomed to be lost, and he will not offend you, Mr. Hirano, for this."

“I think so too.”

Zhao Jingrong followed up by saying, "I think the one who has reason to take action is Mr. Musashi."

"So it's him?" Hirano Daisho looked at Wei Ran who was walking in the distance, and his hand touched the holster on his waist.

"No, no, no, it's not this Musashi Ryunosuke, it's the real president of Musashi Photo Agency, Mr. Musashi who has left Shencheng for several months." Zhao Jingrong corrected.

“I think it’s him too.”

Zhang Taichuan nodded as if he didn't see Hirano Daisho's little move, "Mr. Aoi touched Mr. Musashi's cake, and as for Ryunosuke, there was no need for him to do anything.

He doesn't have any share in our business. I even think that he probably hopes that Mr. Musashi will never come back, so that the photography agency and the car will be his."

"You mean to say that Mr. Musashi has arranged someone else in Shencheng?" Hirano Daisho frowned.

"We haven't left any room for Mr. Musashi in any of the deals we've done in recent months."

Zhao Jingrong said, "Especially since the beginning of autumn, even the black market transactions of fuel are no longer conducted through Boss Mu. Only the rice business is occasionally handed over to his people to operate, but how much money can those businesses be worth?"

"Mr. Mu has now been completely squeezed out by Mr. Aoi," Zhang Taichuan said with a smile, "and then Mr. Aoi was shot, and Mr. Musashi is not in Shencheng."

"The photographer also gave his apprentice Musashi his last name."

Zhao Jingrong then said, "I heard that a long time ago, he was given a passport with a nationality of Zhaohe.

I am almost certain that these are all the work of that gentleman, and Ryunosuke is probably just a poor scapegoat."

"I think so too," Zhang Taichuan said, "Ryunosuke is indeed talented in photography, but he is not a very smart or courageous person. However..."

At this point, Zhang Taichuan glanced at Wei Ran who was walking back with his coat, and said in a low voice, "Mr. Aoi is dead, Mr. Hirano might as well seize this opportunity to bribe Ryunosuke. If Mr. Musashi comes back, he might be able to give us a surprise."

"us?"

Hirano Daisho smiled, gently patted Zhang Taichuan's shoulder and said in a joking tone, "I thought you would stand on Mr. Musashi's side."

"Mr. Musashi has not been heard from for several months."

Zhang Taichuan said frankly, "Besides, Mr. Hirano and I are already friends, so of course I have to help my friend."

“You will get what you want”

Hirano Daisho said as he looked at Wei Ran who was getting closer and closer, "Ryūnosuke, don't get me wrong, Kawaguchi and Captain Jin were just trying to clear you of suspicion. Now, take Xiaokui and the child back. Their safety is in your hands."

"Please rest assured!" Wei Ran immediately patted his chest and made a promise, "We will definitely protect them."

"After you've rested enough, remember to help us develop the photos."

After saying this, Hirano Daisho took them back to the ward and asked Hirano Aoi to take the child and follow them out of the hospital.

"Just now Mieko, no, Esther, just now Esther wanted to smoke opium again."

Hirano Aoi waited until the car started moving before she said worriedly, "I'm worried about her. She may not live long."

"Why?" asked Zhao Jingrong, who was driving.

"Her body is too weak," Hirano Aoi yawned as she spoke. "Perhaps the ability to give birth to this child successfully is already her limit."

"Go back and have a good rest."

Zhang Taichuan, who was also sitting in the back row, said, "Yesterday. Thank you for saving him yesterday."

"Nothing. It's nothing."

Hirano Aoi waved her hands quickly, but inevitably, she began to worry about Zhang Zhengqi again, "Wait. Can I go see him?"

"It depends on the situation." Zhang Taichuan answered ambiguously.

Hearing this, Hirano Aoi, who was holding the baby, sighed, and finally just nodded and stopped talking.

In silence, the car drove to the entrance of the alley, and Zhao Jingrong said, "You take Miss Hirano home, Wei Ran, let's go develop the photos we just took."

"Okay." Wei Ran was stunned for a moment and then immediately agreed.

Zhang Taichuan subconsciously glanced at Zhao Jingrong, but didn't say anything. He just handed the camera to Wei Ran and walked into the alley with Miss Hirano.

"Do you have anything to say?" Wei Ran waited until Zhao Jingrong closed the car door before asking.

"The matter of replacing the prince with a cat was kept secret from them," said Zhao Jingrong.

"Hidden from Uncle? And Miss Hirano?"

"Yes, and Joan."

Zhao Jingrong said, "Back then, he bought that foreign horse and gave her opium, which harmed the child. Your second uncle has too heavy a burden, let him relax a little."

"it is good"

Wei Ran nodded in agreement. He didn't ask whose idea it was to buy the foreign horse, nor did he ask whose idea it was to give her opium.

He has also seen clearly that whether it is Zhao Jingrong, his second uncle Zhang Taichuan, or especially Lin Qiaoan who has already left Shencheng, these people's ways are neither righteous nor evil, and they seem to have nothing to do with the Red and Blue families.

"Do you think Zhengqi can survive?" Zhao Jingrong asked again.

"I don't know." Wei Ran shook his head. He really didn't know.

"Go back and take some photos of him."

Zhao Jingrong sighed, "His mother is still alive. At least she is a thought."

"well"

Wei Ran agreed to the task, but after a moment's hesitation he asked, "Will there be enough time for them to meet?"

"Too late, too late"

Zhao Jingrong sighed, "Many families of the Mingxiang Opera Troupe were arranged by Qiao An to go to the United States to escape the disaster. It's too late to go back and forth!"

“I’ll take a few more photos of him.”

Wei Ran pushed open the car door with a sigh. This was the only promise he could make - just to take a few photos.

When he returned to Esther's house, Zhang Taichuan and the mother who took care of her were guarding at the second-floor window and the courtyard gate on the first floor respectively.

"I'll take a few pictures of him," Wei Ran said in a low voice.

"Yes, we have to take some pictures in advance. Go ahead."

Zhang Taichuan waved his hand and let Wei Ran walk into the kitchen. Under the guidance of another old maid, he went through the tunnel and came to the next room.

When he walked into the operating room that was still filled with the smell of disinfectant, Zhang Zhengqi was still unconscious. But in addition to Xiaowu with red and swollen eyes, Hirano Aoi was also in the room. She was holding a camera and taking pictures of Zhang Zhengqi.

"Mr. Weiwei"

Hirano Aoi was stunned for a moment after seeing Wei Ran, and then asked carefully, "Can you take a picture of me and him? I..."

At this point, Hirano Aoi burst into tears without warning, "I'm afraid I won't be able to see him again in the future, I'm afraid I'll forget him."

"How do you plan to shoot it?" Wei Ran sighed.

"I'll just lie next to him and shoot it like this."

As Hirano Aoi spoke, she had already struggled to pull over an eight-immortal table next to her and placed it next to the simple operating table where Zhang Zhengqi was lying.

With a weak sigh, Wei Ran said, "Let me help you."

"thanks, thanks."

Hirano Aoi repeated it over and over again as she and Wei Ran lifted the table over. Then they clumsily climbed up and lay down on the eight-immortals table. She tried her best to lean her upper body against the unconscious Zhang Zhengqi and forced a smile which was hard enough but still not that bright and brilliant.

"Ugh"

Wei Ran let out a long sigh, stepped onto a chair, raised the Rollei twin-lens reflex camera, put the upper bodies of the two of them into the viewfinder, and gently pressed the shutter button that still smelled of blood.

this picture
Maybe it is his whole life, or maybe it is the rest of her life.